William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Luke 17:31

Here our Saviour advises them, that when they shall see the judgments of God breaking out upon Jerusalem, that they make all possible speed to get out of it, as Lot and his family did out of Sodom; and to take heed of imitating Lot's wife, who looking back became. pillar of salt, Genesis 19:26

Where observe,

1. Her offence, She looked back.

2. The punishment of her offence, She became. pillar of salt.

Her offence in looking behind her was manifest disobedience to the divine command, which said, Look not behind thee; and proceeded either from carelessness or from covetousness, or from curiosity, or from compassion to those that she left behind her, and was undoubtedly the effect of great infidelity, she not believing the truth of what the angel had declared, as touching the certainty and suddenness of Sodom's destruction. The punishment of her offence was exemplary, She became. pillar of salt: that is,. perpetual monument of divine severity for her infidelity and disobedience.

Where note,

1. The suddenness of her punishment: the justice of God surprises her in the very act of sin, with. present revenge.

2. The seeming disproportion between the punishment and the offence: her offence was. forbidden look. From whence carnal reason may plead, "Was it not sufficient for her to lose her eyes, but must she lose her life?" But the easiness and reasonableness of the command aggravated her disobedience; and though her punishment may seem severe, it was not unjust.

Now, says our Saviour, Remember Lot's wife: that is, let her example caution all of you against unbelief, disobedience, worldy- mindedness, contempt of God's threatenings, and lingerings after the forbidden society of lewd and wicked persons.

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William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Luke 17:31

Old Testament

New Testament